RIJEKA, Croatia (Interstat) — Rijeka will host Medvescak on Saturday in a women’s professional basketball game between two teams still seeking their first victory of the season. Rijeka enters with an 0-4 record, while visiting Medvescak is 0-5. Both clubs will be looking to end difficult starts and gain momentum in a matchup that could hinge on the play of each team’s top performer.

Medvescak most recently lost 84-56 at home to Zagreb. Bruna Maricic led Medvescak with 17 points, 19 rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes, while Lara Hajpetar added 14 points and six rebounds and Viktoria Rogic contributed 11 points and 14 rebounds. Maricic has been Medvescak’s most consistent producer during the early season. She had 19 points and 11 rebounds at Sibenik, 18 points and seven rebounds against Tresnjevka 2009, and 12 points and 13 rebounds at Zadar Plus. Medvescak also has lost at Sibenik, against Tresnjevka 2009, at Zadar and against Ragusa. Maricic’s rebounding and scoring will be central to Medvescak’s hopes of competing on the road.

Rijeka most recently lost 84-69 at Zadar. Marijana Zukanovic powered Rijeka with 27 points, 10 rebounds, one assist and one block in 33 minutes, while Dorotea Brandic scored 10 points and Petra Glomazic added six points and eight assists. Zukanovic had eight points and five rebounds in Rijeka’s prior game against Brod na Savi. Rijeka has also lost to Brod na Savi, at Zagreb and against Sibenik this season. Zukanovic’s scoring ability gives Rijeka a clear focal point, and the home team will need production around her to counter Medvescak’s interior presence.

Medvescak will look to Maricic inside and on the glass, where her rebounding has been a major factor. Rijeka will counter with Zukanovic, who has shown the ability to carry a heavy scoring load. Both teams are searching for their first victory, making Saturday’s matchup a chance to build confidence. Rijeka will be at home, where it will try to use the familiar setting to offset Medvescak’s rebounding strength. Medvescak will need balanced support around Maricic, while Rijeka will aim to keep Zukanovic involved early and often. Rijeka is 0-2 at home this season, while Medvescak is 0-2 on the road. That adds urgency for Rijeka, and Medvescak will try to reverse its road struggles.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Rijeka to win 70-63. Interstat’s ELO system gives Rijeka an 88.2 percent probability of victory. Rijeka has been installed as the pregame favorite with a spread of -15.5, and the over/under is 145.5.